South drops tough one to Athens

From staff reports

THE PLAINS, Ohio — Parkersburg South was in position to earn a win Friday at Athens, but the host Bulldogs held off the Patriots for a 26-16 victory.

South got 141 yards on 20 carries from Nick Yoho, who scored their first touchdown at the 8:26 mark in the second quarter. That 45-yard rushing score gave the Patriots a 7-6 lead after Athens had scored on a 2-yard TD run from Evan Adams earlier in the second.

The Bulldogs closed the first half with back-to-back touchdowns runs of 1 and 3 yards by Adams, to make it 19-7 late in the second quarter.

South quickly answered with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Mooney to Brett Hearn, making the score 19-13 at halftime.

Ben Haught got the Patriots within three points with a 26-yard field goal with 3:45 left in the third quarter.

Needing a stop late in the game to get a chance to win or tie, South allowed Adams’ fourth rushing touchdown of the game — this one from 2 yards out — to seal the victory for the ‘Dogs.

Adams finished with 107 yards on 29 rushes to lead Athens.

Mooney completes 15 of 29 pass attempts for 143 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

The Patriots (1-2) will look to bounce back next Friday with a home game against Princeton.